BEA falls 70-67 to Belle Plaine

Bucs losing streak hits three

December 29, 2013

In a game which featured 18 lead changes and a monster double-double from Luke Monson, the Blue Earth Area boys basketball team could not find a way to come out victorious.

Belle Plaine handed BEA their third consecutive loss, 70-67 on Dec. 20 in Belle Plaine on the Tigers home court.

Monson finished with a game high 28 points and 14 rebounds.

"Luke has played really well for our team," coach Seth Anderson says. "We are getting good production from other players as well. Overall, we need to rebound, screen and use those screens more to our advantage."

Bailey Olson also contributed 15 points

BEA fell behind early, but Olson scored six straight points to propel the Bucs back in the game.

The Tigers pulled away midway through the half by scoring nine consecutive points, leading to a Buccaneer timeout.

Behind Monson and Olson, the maroon and gold cut the Tigers lead to only two heading into halftime.

The two combined to score 26 of the teams' 32 first half points.

Guard Derek Johnson started the second half for the Bucs with a three-pointer, which sparked an early 14-3 second half run.

Then Monson took over by scoring seven of the next nine points for BEA and expanded their lead to nine, 46-37.

Luke Narveson, who scored 22 points for the Tigers, hit back-to-back three-pointers to give the home team a three-point edge, 55-52, capping off an 18-6 run of their own for the home team.

Down the stretch, the Buccaneers traded baskets with the Tigers.

Johnson hit a three-pointer to cut the lead to one, 64-63.

Belle Plaine answered with a Ricky Fogarty jumper, making it a three-point lead, 66-63.

Monson then made a shot, but Aaron Bigaouette put the Tigers up for good with a put back, getting fouled in the process and pushing the lead to four, 69-65.

Belle Plaine prevailed in the closely contested contest improving to 5-2 for the season.

The Buccaneers wrapped up the pre-Christmas portion of their schedule with an overall record of 1-5.

The maroon and gold have played some quality teams to open up their season. Their opponents have a total record of 32-10.

BEA hosted a boys basketball invitational last Friday and Saturday. Game results and analysis will be included in the next Faribault County Register.